Mass Shootings: A Growing Issue in Schools

By: Tomer Borik

June 20, 2022 Updated 8:00 p.m. MST

Evacuation exits, lockdowns and possible gun threats are thoughts that teachers should not need to worry about. However, local schoolteacher and past principal, Rebecca Lenn, must be cautious of these factors whenever she arrives at her high school.

“All doors are always locked, and we practice lockdown drills frequently,” Lenn said. “This summer, they are installing a double door entry system in our building and our secretary will have to let visitors in one door at a time.”

Like most teachers, Lenn has been anxious about having to teach and protect her students, knowing that the threat of a mass shooting is more prominent for her community than it used to be. She now prays for the day that more laws can be put in place so that she may finally feel safe in her place of work. She advocates for more mental health protocols, stricter gun laws, and more campus security.

Rebecca Lenn addresses her high school community. Photo by Tomer Borik.

The number of mass shootings has risen in the past couple of months, and now, more than ever, teachers, students and locals are advocating more than ever for lawmakers to take the steps needed in evolving how gun safety and mental health are treated in their community.

“We have a great School Resource Officer program and our relationship in Poudre School District is wonderful,” said Jeff Swoboda, Chief of police for Fort Collins Police Department. “We regularly train with teachers and school administrators. Additionally, we have been working on active shooter drills for 20 years. So, safety at our schools is front and center and we work everyday to make sure all kids and staff are safe.”

The number of people injured in shootings in Denver (2018-2020). Data from Denver Police Department.

However, some teachers still believe that the actions being taken in response to recent shootings have not been enough to assure safety for teachers and students.

“Students who have had any serious incident in school should go into a national database that prevents them from being allowed to purchase firearms until a certain age,” said Lenn. “Schools need full time mental health workers. Right now, our district only offers a part-time support in each building.”

Teachers, more than ever, are witnessing the violence in schools around the country and are insisting on improved measures for mental health screenings and evaluations.

Just like teachers, students are getting increasingly more anxious about having to go to school, an issue that has not been prominent for them prior to these recent shootings.

“I have noticed a lot of uptake in security measures around my school; all of the doors now have some type of alarm system on them that they did not have before,” said Shaina Orsund, a student at Evergreen High School. “I think tightened security is always a great option and maybe adding less points of unwatched entry would be beneficial as well.”

The ability of young people to get weapons so easily has continued to be a prominent factor in the recent shootings in the community, and teachers and students throughout the community continue to advocate for extensive mental health screenings prior to purchasing firearms.

“I think we need to change gun laws so that there is no way for people my age to even get guns,” Orsund said. “But because I know that won’t happen, maybe just continuing to heighten security and train people on looking for those mental health signs will hopefully do at least a bit in combating this growing issue in our community.”

The issue of #GunControl and #schoolsafety has been a growing concern throughout our community. If you would like to hear more about what locals think of gun control and school safety, read my article below. https://t.co/cmWuMVWpC5 — Tomer Borik (@tomer_borik) June 21, 2022

Teachers are advocating, more than ever, for stricter #GunControl and improved #Mentalhealth evaluations. Stay tuned for more in my next story. — Tomer Borik (@tomer_borik) June 21, 2022

Is #GunReform a pressing issue in your community? Reach out to me if you know a teacher or lawmaker with input on this growing issue. — Tomer Borik (@tomer_borik) June 21, 2022

#GunControl is a now on the rise throughout the country, and local teacher, Rebecca Lenn, has plenty to say about how the school districts and lawmakers should handle this growing issue. — Tomer Borik (@tomer_borik) June 21, 2022